In Christ Alone

HT: girl talk

Quiet Inspirations.

1 Thess. 4:11-12:

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

This picture is the background image on my phone. The sweet face you see belongs to my grandmother, who has been in heaven since the summer of 2006. Her husband, my grandpa, entered heaven's gates about 17 years before her arrival. Though most of my life I lived about a mile and half away from her, I honestly feel like I didn't "know know" her inside and out. And yet somehow she serves as a quiet inspiration. She was a quiet, peaceful, simple, cat-loving, pleasant, enduring woman...


This is my other grandma. Just this afternoon and evening she, my grandpa, and I spent time talking, eating, playing a game, and walking out onto the dock and a bit around the premises. They are quite active and settled into their community. She revealed her sensitivity in a passing comment that just last week (I believe) she felt (maybe told my grandpa) that she just didn't want to live in their community anymore -- others' sicknesses and perhaps deaths were getting to her tender heart. Though she likely feels grateful for her home and probably in reality would not want to move, it must be hard to live where death and sickness knock at neighbors' doors. People who live in those environments must have a deeper understanding and appreciation of Psalm 90:12 -- "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." Perhaps many surrounded by death and sickness have been taught to number their days and have received this heart of wisdom.


And this is Barbara. I wonder if she'll ever know how much of a heart print she has left on me. She is such an amazing woman who shared her hospitality and home to host a small group for volunteers of a ministry of which I was part. Her kind gesture impresses upon my heart the importance of loving fellow believers who are engaged in ministry. We must not only love outwards, but inwards as well. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:10).

Inspirational People I

1) My mom -- Her servant heart and her understanding of Service vs. service. Her deep desire to look to Christ. Upward and onward...

2) My dad -- A secret servant to his family. Working endless hours in my youth. Generous with his time and resources. Gifted in talking with ease with all types of people.

3) When I was at WWU - A woman who opened up her home and led a small group to the young gals who helped with international student ministry. A very hospitable, kind, gentle woman. I hope to be like Barbara when I 'grow up' :). She not only 'reached out', but 'reached within'...Love is definitely an important ingredient in ministry, from the inside out.

4) During an interview -- I believe the interviewer mentioned that he used to fall asleep when reading his Bible. His love for God's Word (if I'm not mistaken) made a mark on my heart.

5) People who exemplify humility -- evidence of a genuine, real faith expressed through prayer. I recently personally heard someone do this and I've been told that my old pastor (who is other family members' pastor) has expressed humility through prayer.

And the list could go on and on...

(edit: 3/14)

Freedom Writers

Just recently saw Freedom Writers and loved it. It's based on a true story about a class that was transformed through a teacher's unconventional methods at bringing the students together and allowing them the chance to express themselves through writing. It's based on The Freedom Writers Diary. Inspirational!

Adoption Story Videoclip

Here's a neat videoclip I found of an adoption of an Iraqi orphan by an American in the military:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2007/07/06/cnn.heroes.scott.southworth.cnn

Not Forgotten

As the soft piano notes of Chris Rice's "Untitled Hymn" fall upon my ears, a vision floats in front of my eyes. A face full of joy, a gentle smile plays across her face as her tiny figure gracefully twirls on stage. She is wearing a long white gown that catches her moves with a suprising amount of dignity. She seems to be drinking in every word, feeling it with every beat of her heart.

Her name was Lauren Castanza. She went to my college. Two summers ago, she fell from a waterfall to her death. She was going to be a doctor, if I remember correctly. She was smart and incredibly outgoing. It seemed as though the whole campus knew her. Coming back to college after that summer was so strange. It felt like a light had gone out, and nobody could bring it back.

That last semester, she was in my suite a lot. She was really close with one of my suitemates, yet how many times did I notice her there in that next door room and not even stop to say hello?

I heard later that her faith was the most powerful and genuine faith that many had ever seen. I heard that she had commented to a friend how she never felt so close to God as she did that last semester, right before God took her home.

Was God preparing her to meet with him in just a few short weeks? It makes me shudder. In a good way, perhaps?

It's strange. All of her hopes and dreams. God knew from before that moment when she took her first breath...He knew that her last breath would be before those hopes and dreams would ever be realized. Lauren would never be a doctor. She applied to Grove City College. He knew she'd never graduate. But He did know that she would be an amazing witness for Him. He planned something infintely better than any of us could ever imagine.

And that song. When she danced, did she know how those words would come true for her?

...fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus...and live.

Yes, she fell. But she fell on Jesus, and she now lives with Him.

...with your final heartbeat, kiss the world goodbye, go in peace and laugh on glory's side... and fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus...and live.

I still remember her clutching her chest, bending over, and lightly tiptoeing backwards to capture the mood of that final verse. She danced this verse beautifully, causing tears to spring into everyone's eyes at her memorial service.

I didn't know Lauren well, though I wish I had. In fact, I don't even know if she knew my name. But I know I will never forget her. Christ was the One who made her shine. If only the same could be true of all of us...

"Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for Love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden’s lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain...so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don’t be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk, sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain...then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can’t contain your joy inside...then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on glory’s side...and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!"

(post written by Kristin)

A role model

On the front page of a local newspaper is a big article called "Each Day is a Gift" -- and above the pictures, in italics are the words "For a former pastor turning 100, faith has been an unfailing guide"...on the back page of the section, the article continues, and in big font are the words " 'I know the Bible has the answer' "...wow. Granted, it's a LOCAL paper -- but still...isn't that neat? There's a huge picture of the man and his family members on the front page. Anyway...here are some quotes from this article:

"He chuckles easily as he delights in the word of God. 'Stop and relish it, like a good piece of candy,' he tells his Bible study class. They nod and smile along with him. 'I believe the word of God is wonderful to use every day of your life.'"

"Larson has diligently memorized verse after verse through the years. 'I have been preaching the gospel for over 74 years. I have dedicated my life to this book,' he said, patting an open page in his King James version of the Bible."

" 'Now, almost inevitably, people talk to me with a question or concern, and I have trouble keeping from preaching,' he said. 'I know the Bible has the answer. 'I'm just full of the Bible.'"

" 'He's got a certain peace about him,' Munroe said. 'He's got such a reservoir of God's word that he's built for himself. He's a walking, talking Bible.'"

Wow. What a compliment!!

Dear God, please use this article to get people thinking about you. Please use this article to draw people close to you. Thank you ~~

Inspirational

On the website http://www.elisabethelliot.org/newsletters.html, I found the following piece written by Anna L. Waring (1850)

"Father, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me,
And the changes that are sure to come
I do not fear to see;
I ask Thee for a present mind,
Intent on pleasing Thee.

I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do
Or secret thing to know;
I would be trusted as a child
And guided where I go.

Wherever in the world I am,
In whatsoever estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts
To keep and cultivate."